192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Automatic
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-03
2004-01-20
Rodriquez, Saul (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Automatic
C192S003610, C192S084600, C192S084910, C192S085060, C192S14200A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06679362
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an actuator device for actuating a clutch device.
The term “clutch device” in the sense of the present invention means a device by which torque can be transmitted between an input shaft and an output shaft and which can be set into different engagement positions by means of an actuator, whereby the amount of torque that can be transmitted is increased, decreased, or set to zero. The clutch device may be configured with or without power branching and preferably includes a start-up clutch, a friction clutch, a reverse-gear clutch, a laminar disc clutch, a magnet-powder clutch, a converter bypass clutch, or another device of the same general category.
With special preference, the clutch is configured as an electronically controlled clutch device in which the movement between different positions of the clutch can be performed under electronic control. An electronically controlled clutch device has been described by and is available from the assignee of the present invention under the name “Electronic Clutch Management (ECM)”. An actuator device as understood in the present context includes in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic device as a drive source. Preferably, the drive source for the actuator device is an electric motor pushing the piston of a hydraulic master cylinder by way of a transfer mechanism. The master-cylinder piston transmits pressure through the hydraulic fluid to a slave cylinder. The slave-cylinder piston is preferably coupled to a pressure plate that is movable relative to a clutch disc. Thus, the electric motor serves to set the amount of force that is acting between the pressure plate and the clutch disc.
An actuator device for a clutch device is known from DE 44 33 825, where an actuator device with an incremental displacement sensor is described. The incremental displacement sensor, which serves to detect changes in the position of the clutch device, is adjusted from time to time by performing a check to verify whether the actuator device is supplied with energy and whether or not the incremental displacement sensor is indicating changes in the position of the clutch device. If the incremental displacement sensor is registering a stationary position while at the same time the actuator device is found to receive energy, this combination of factors is used to identify an end-stop position.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has the objective of providing an actuator device that is based on a different technical design in comparison to the aforementioned known state of the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The actuator device proposed by the present invention serves to actuate a clutch device which has different engagement positions corresponding to different amounts of torque that can be transmitted between a first rotary component and a second rotary component. According to the invention, the actuator device has a position-detecting device that serves to detect at least one of the different engagement positions. This detection is performed independently of a displacement-measuring device that may be provided to measure the engagement position.
The displacement-measuring device which may in certain cases be incorporated in embodiments of the present invention is in particular designed to measure the engagement position or a change in the engagement position of at least one component of the actuator device or the clutch device under a predetermined set of conditions. The displacement-measuring device, which uses in particular a sensor arrangement, is configured either as an absolute or as an incremental measuring device. The displacement-measuring device is preferably based on a concept of detecting a number of markers that are arranged along the displacement path.
The position-detecting device serves to detect at least one engagement position under a predetermined set of conditions. The detection performed by the position-detecting device is independent of characteristic values that are generated by the displacement-measuring device.
In one embodiment of the foregoing concept, the position-detecting device detects or otherwise determines a characteristic value and then performs a comparison between the characteristic value and a predetermined limit. The characteristic value found by the position-detecting device as well as the predetermined limit are independent of a displacement-measuring device that may in some cases exist together with the position-detecting device. The detected or otherwise determined characteristic value preferably represents an electrical quantity, such as a current or voltage, that is supplied to the drive source of the actuator device. Preferably, the characteristic value is representative of the magnitude of the mechanical resistance that the actuator device has to overcome in order to move the clutch. Based on the comparison between the characteristic value and the predetermined limit, the position-detecting device indicates that the actuator device is at a predetermined engagement position or in a predetermined range of engagement positions. In the context of the present invention, the engagement position is indicated either in absolute terms or in relation to another engagement position.
In a further embodiment of the inventive concept, the position-detecting device detects or otherwise determines a characteristic value as well as the time gradient (rate of change) of the characteristic value and then compares the time gradient to at least one predetermined maximum or minimum value for the time gradient. Based on this comparison, the position-detecting device indicates when the actuator device is in at least one predetermined engagement position. The characteristic value or time gradient in this arrangement is independent of a displacement-measuring device that may in some cases also exist, and it is independent of any measurement of the engagement position of the actuator device. In the context of the present invention, an engagement position represents in particular a predetermined position that can be established in absolute terms. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an engagement position can also mean a range of engagement positions, i.e., a range of individual engagement positions that can be determined in absolute terms and are either connected with each other or correlated according to a predetermined characteristic.
As a preferred concept, the position detecting device uses a characteristic operating value as a characteristic value for the determination of a predetermined engagement position of the actuator device. A characteristic operating value is generally a variable value that changes during operation of the actuator device or the clutch device and/or during time periods when a vehicle with the actuator device or clutch device is running. With particular preference, the position-detecting device uses exactly one characteristic value and/or exactly one characteristic operating value to determine at least one predetermined engagement position. With preference, the position-detecting device uses a predetermined characteristic operating value of the drive source of the actuator device which, as mentioned above, is preferably configured as an electric motor. The latter is in particular designed to run under voltage control, meaning that the electric motor is operated and the actuator device is driven by applying a predetermined voltage to the electric motor. While the voltage is thus a given quantity, the position-detecting device uses a characteristic value that varies during operation, such as in particular an electric current or an electric impedance or similar physical quantity, to detect a predetermined engagement position. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an electric motor that drives the actuator device is designed to run under voltage control, so that the voltage level is given, while the current can vary dependent on the engagement positions of the actuator device; and the positio
Berger Reinhard
Gallion Michael
Darby & Darby
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
Rodriquez Saul
LandOfFree
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